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This five-day trek from Marrakech combines a Mount Toubkal summit attempt with a camel night on Erg Chebbi dunes. The opening days follow the classic Imlil ascent with refuge night and summit push to 4,167 metres. The journey then crosses south to Merzouga for desert camp under the stars before return.
The opening days follow the Toubkal ascent from Imlil with a refuge night and summit push to 4,167 metres on rocky alpine ground. Your mountain guide sets the pace on the upper slopes while mules may carry shared kit, and you descend to the valley before transferring east over the Atlas toward the pre-Sahara.
After the mountain leg you continue through gorges and oasis towns toward Merzouga for a camel ride into camp on Erg Chebbi. Sunrise on the dunes and the return drive to Marrakech complete the trip, with mountain boots giving way to sandals and scarves as altitude swaps for sand within the same journey.
You experience both North Africa's highest peak and its most famous dune field on one continuous route from Marrakech. Imlil granite valleys and Merzouga sand seas are contrasting landscapes linked by the Tizi n'Tichka road and the pre-Sahara gorges.
The combo crosses three distinct Morocco worlds in five days: High Atlas alpine country, canyon and oasis roads, and open Erg Chebbi sand. Each night feels different, from a mountain refuge to a desert camp under stars.
You need strong fitness for the Toubkal summit day plus comfort on long transfers and a camel camp night. Previous multi-day hiking experience helps, especially at altitude on the upper mountain.
Share trekking and travel experience when you enquire so we confirm the pacing between mountain and desert legs. This combo suits active travellers rather than gentle sightseeing only.
Combining both highlights saves repeating Marrakech logistics and fits ambitious travellers with limited time. You summit Toubkal and sleep on the dunes in one journey rather than two separate trips.
We coordinate mountain guides, drivers and camp hosts as one organised combo with a single point of contact. Handover between the Atlas and Sahara legs stays smooth so you always know who is leading each section.
Pickup in Marrakech starts the drive through Asni to Imlil. You leave the vehicle and walk the Mizane Valley through Aremd and Sidi Chamharouch, then climb the mule track to the Toubkal refuge at 3,206 metres.
Expect about five hours of walking. Night one is at the refuge.
An early start takes you across the stream and up the scree toward the summit of Jebel Toubkal at 4,167 metres. From the plateau you look north to the Marrakech plain and south toward the Anti-Atlas and the Sahara.
You retrace the path to Imlil for the night. The altitude and loose rock make this the hardest day of the trip.
Pickup in Imlil is around 9am. You cross Tizi n'Tichka, with the option to stop at the Ouarzazate film studios or walk Ait Benhaddou, then continue toward Dades.
Night three is in a hotel in Dades, with time for a gorge walk or a quieter evening if the group prefers. Driving time is about six hours.
After breakfast you drive to Todra Gorges for a walk in the palmery if the group wants it, then continue to Merzouga. In the late afternoon you ride camels for about an hour and a half to camp.
Dinner and night four are in the desert camp, with sunset on the dunes before you sleep. Driving time is about five hours.
Sunrise on the dunes, then the camel ride back to the village for breakfast and a shower. You drive west over the Atlas toward Marrakech, with photo stops and lunch on the way.
Drop-off is usually between 5pm and 6pm at your hotel or a point you agree in advance.
You'll be collected from your hotel or riad in Marrakech on the morning of day one. The drive runs through Asni to Imlil, where you leave the vehicle and start the walk to the refuge.
Day five finishes back in Marrakech, usually between 5pm and 6pm. Share your hotel name when you enquire so pickup and drop-off are straightforward.
Night one is at the Toubkal refuge at 3,206 metres. Night two is in Imlil after the summit. Night three is in a hotel in Dades.
Night four is in a Merzouga desert camp after the camel ride. The refuge and camp are simple, so bring a warm layer for both.
You'll be collected from your Marrakech hotel on day one for the drive to Imlil and the Toubkal approach.
You return to Marrakech after the Merzouga leg, usually on the evening of day five. Share your hotel, riad or port arrival details when you enquire and we confirm pickup time the day before travel, including the nearest vehicle access on narrow medina lanes.
Summit day is demanding at altitude. After that you need energy for long transfers and a camel camp night.
Tell us about recent hiking when you enquire. This combo suits active travellers, not gentle sightseeing only.
Toubkal Refuge for the mountain night, then hotels on the transfer east and a Merzouga desert camp night.
Bring a sleeping bag for the refuge. Camp provides tents and shared dining. Hotel nights are in private rooms for your group, while desert camp is simple shared tents with mattresses and blankets under the stars.
Meals on the itinerary cover trek days, transfer days and camp.
Tell us about dietary needs when you enquire. Drinks are not included. Breakfast and dinner are usually included where the itinerary lists hotel or camp nights, with lunch often on the road at a café or picnic stop between driving legs.
You need full trekking kit for Toubkal plus lighter desert clothes for Merzouga. A daypack works for both legs.
Pack sandals or closed shoes for sand after summit boots. Keep a refillable water bottle and any daily essentials in the bag you carry in the vehicle, and ask when you enquire if you want seasonal advice for Atlas cold or desert heat.
The combo is built around the Toubkal summit attempt. If weather forces a turnaround, the desert leg still continues as planned.
Tell us when you enquire if you prefer a lower valley day instead of the upper mountain and we discuss options honestly.
Older teenagers with hiking experience may join. The combo is demanding for young children.
Share ages and experience when you enquire and we advise honestly. Share children's ages and how they handle long travel days when you enquire, and we advise honestly on pacing, seat comfort and whether a longer itinerary would suit your family better.
Mountain weather may delay summit day. Desert wind may shift camel timing.
We flex the schedule where possible so you still get both experiences safely. Winter snow can slow High Atlas passes and desert wind may shift camel timing, so we adjust for safety and keep you informed rather than pushing a fixed timetable.
After Toubkal you drive east over several hours through Ouarzazate and the gorges toward Merzouga.
We break the journey with stops so you are not sitting continuously after summit day. Exact arrival times depend on traffic, photo stops and group pace, and your driver keeps you updated through the day so you can plan evening plans in the city.
A mountain guide leads Toubkal. Your driver-guide handles the desert transfer and camp logistics.
We coordinate handovers so you always know who is leading each section. Share any questions when you enquire and we confirm practical details when your booking is accepted so the first morning runs smoothly for your group.
About the centre
Marrakech
Operated by Trek Morocco Desert, a partner of adventuro.
Central & Atlas Mountains, Morocco
From €2000
Saharan & Southern Provinces, Morocco
From €850
